Safety & Security

REPORT HIGHLIGHTS

Security on Mass Transportation
While airport security has become much tighter in recent years, there is much less security in place in metro and train stations. Japanese railways are installing more cameras and making other improvements with their capital investment budget. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT), which oversees railway companies, is also focusing on security improvements for mass transportation. The market demand for various emergency preparedness items such as bio-chem material and explosive detection & containment systems may offer export opportunities for U.S. companies offering new technology with security applications.

Port Security
Given the realities of today’s security environment, port security is more important than ever – particularly in Japan, where more than 99% of all good pass through seaports. The government of Japan has implemented security action plans for Japanese ports and associated customs operations. The procurement required by these port security upgrades may offer export opportunities for U.S. companies offering new technology with security applications.

Avian Flue Preparedness
The Government of Japan’s (GOJ) Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Action Plan was issued in November 2005 in compliance with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Influenza Preparedness Plan. The GOJ plan describes Japan's countermeasures against the increasing risk of a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus epidemic. In addition to stockpiling medicines and developing new vaccines, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) allocated $1.32 billion in 2007 to develop "infrastructure" to prepare for a possible outbreak. These preparations have created business opportunities in Japan for medical equipment, emergency supplies, protective gear and IT solutions.